“It looks like a sandwich”: Russia has started equipping T-90M Breakthrough with very dense dynamic protection (photo)
During the production of the T-90M “Proryv” tank, the Russian Federation began to install additional dynamic protection according to a new extremely dense scheme. So tightly that the Kontakt units are installed even on the crew hatches.
There are already several photos with such cars taken at different times, but they are booked according to the same principle, so it is most likely a serial solution. The aim of which is to further strengthen the defense of the vehicle in the upper hemisphere against dumps and FPV drones.
Because of this, the “brazier” itself is almost invisible behind this protection, which has become just a platform for mounting the protection units. The placement of the blocks is very tight, and even their installation on the tower hatches, which are additionally covered with folding screens made of chain-link mesh, attracts attention.
The density of the containers on the T-90M is also perfectly demonstrated by the following photo:
Whereas previously the “brazier” was raised and its task was to destroy the ammunition’s cumulative funnel or cause its premature detonation, for which purpose the structure was raised above the turret, now it is mounted as low as possible.
Dynamic protection units are also placed on the sides of this structure, covering the space between the tower and the “brazier platform”. In the photo below, you can also see the car pierced between the “bags” of DZ – another standard set of additional dynamic protection.
Another new element of protection is a hinged structure with a chain-link mesh over the engine and transmission department.
It should also be noted that the standard dynamic protection “Relict” has not disappeared with the T-90M “Breakthrough”, and in fact, we are talking about a “sandwich” of dynamic protection.
But despite the enemy’s really significant strengthening of its vehicle armor, it should be remembered that the weight of each Kontakt-1 container with two 4C20 elements is 5.3 kg without fasteners. This additional layer definitely does not have a positive effect on the mobility of the already overloaded T-90M, nor on the turret rotation mechanisms.
It should also be borne in mind that the RF is most effective when placed at an angle. The effectiveness of the Kontakt at the angle of the cumulative jet within 30-40 degrees to the horizontal is 400-450 mm of armor, but at 90 degrees it drops to 100-200 mm.
